OPRF Basketball: A History of Success

OPRF Basketball is one of the most successful programs in the state of Illinois. Learn about the program’s history of success in this blog post.

The Early Years: A History of OPRF Basketball

The history of Oak Park and River Forest High School Basketball is one of great success. The program has produced two NBA players four Mr. Basketball of Illinois winners, and has won numerous conference and State Championships

OPRF basketball traces its roots back to 1901, when the school fielded its first team. In those early years, the team played other high school squads, as well as local YMCA and church teams. The first coach of the Oak Park and River Forest high school basketball team was George B. Woodruff, who coached the squad from 1901 to 1902.

In the early years of the program, the teams did not have much success. It wasn’t until 1908 that the team had its first winning season, going 10-5 under Head Coach Walter E. Fritzsche. The following year, the team went 13-3 and won its first conference championship

The 1910’s were a decade of great success for OPRF basketball. The team won six conference championships and had seven winning seasons. In 1914-15, the team went 19-1 and won its first state championship The following year, the team went 18-2 and won its second consecutive state championship

The 1920’s were a decade of dominance for OPRF basketball. The team won eight conference championships and had nine winning seasons. The 1920-21 squad went 22-1 and won the school’s third state championship The 1921-22 team went 20-3 and won its fourth State Championship in five years.

After a few down years in the 1930’s, OPRF basketball rebounded in the 1940’s under head coach Mel Shelby. Shelby coached the team for 20 years (1940-1960) and is considered one of the greatest coaches in school history. During his tenure, Shelby led the team to six conference championships and eight winning seasons. His best season came in 1949-50 when he led the team to a 23-3 record and their fifth state championship

1960’s was a decade of great change for OPRF basketball. In 1963, Larry Norman became just the second African American to play on an Illinois High School Basketball team when he suited up for OPRF . Norman would go on to have a great career at Northwestern University before being drafted by the San Diego Rockets in 1967 . Also during this time , longtime Head Coach Mel Shelby retired after 20 seasons at OPRF . He was replaced by Bob Richards , who would go on to have success at OPRF , leading them to four conference championships in his six seasons as Head coach .

In 1970 , Jim Ward replaced Bob Richards as head coach . During his time at OPRF , Ward led them to four conference championships , six winning seasons , and their sixth State Championship in 1972 . After Ward left in 1976 , Dick Klein took over as head coach . Klein would have moderate success at OPRF , leading them to two conference championships in his five seasons as head coach .
In 1981 , Mike Clarke became just the third African American to play on an Illinois high school basketball when he suited up for OPRF . Clarke would go on to have a great career at Bradley University before being drafted by Atlanta Hawks in 1985 . Also during this time Royce Waltman took over as head coach after Dick Klein resigned due top player misconduct . Waltman would lead them too 3 conference championships before being replaced by Al Allen in 1988 . Al Allen only coached 1 season at Oak Park due too player misconduct which led Al Allen too resign

The golden era The Rise of OPRF Basketball

In the early 1950s, Oak Park and River Forest high school (OPRF) was gaining a reputation as a Basketball powerhouse The team won the Illinois State championship in 1952, and they were runners-up in 1949, 1951, and 1953. This period was later dubbed the “golden era” of OPRF basketball.

Under the guidance of head coach George Kellogg, the team became known for their disciplined play and tenacious defense. They were led by a core group of players that included future NBA All-Star Bob Boozer and Olympic gold medalist Mel Titus.

This era came to an end in 1954 when OPRF was defeated in the state Championship game by Thornton Township High School This marked the beginning of a long drought for OPRF, as they would not win another state title until 1999.

The modern ERA OPRF Basketball in the 21st Century

OPRF Basketball in the 21st Century has been defined by success. Under Head Coach Mike Powell, the program has captured 8 IHSA State titles, including a historic 3-peat from 2014 to 2016. The team has also been ranked #1 in the state of Illinois on multiple occasions and has produced numerous Division I college basketball players such as current Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo

The Coaches: A History of OPRF Basketball Coaches

OPRF Basketball has a long and successful history. The program has seen many great coaches come and go, each leaving their own mark on the program. Here is a brief history of some of the most successful coaches in OPRF Basketball History

George Kellner coached the team from 1949 to 1963, leading the team to six conference championships and four State Tournament appearances. Under Kellner, the team had a winning percentage of .667, the highest of any coach in OPRF history.

From 1963 to 1967, Ray Soden coached the team to two conference championships and one State Tournament appearance. Soden left OPRF to take an assistant coaching position at the University of Illinois

Bob Logan took over as head coach in 1967 and led the team to eight conference championships and four state tournament appearances in his eight seasons at OPRF. Logan’s teams had a winning percentage of .724, second only to Kellner’s teams in OPRF history.

Leroy Bates coached the team from 1976 to 1985, leading the team to four conference championships and three state tournament appearances. Bates’ teams had a winning percentage of .636, third best in OPRF history.

The Players: A History of OPRF Basketball Players

Since its founding in 1927, Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Basketball Program has produced many successful players. Below is a list of some of the most notable alumni:

--George Mikan class of 1942, inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. Mikan led the Depaul Blue Demons to four NCAA tournament appearances and is widely considered one of the greatest players in college basketball history.

--Isiah Thomas class of 1979, inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. Thomas had a successful college career at Indiana University before being drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1981. He went on to play for the Pistons for his entire NBA Career winning two championships with the team in 1989 and 1990.

--Chris Collins class of 1987, current head coach of the Northwestern Wildcats men’s basketball team Collins played for Duke University from 1987 to 1991 and was a member of their 1991 NCAA championship team. He then pursued a career in coaching, serving as an Assistant Coach at several colleges before being hired as Northwestern’s head coach in 2013.

The Championships: A History of OPRF Basketball Championships

The OPRF Basketball Program has a long and storied history of success, winning numerous championships at the local, state, and national level.

The first championship came in 1929, when the team won the high school state championship The team would go on to win 4 more state championships in 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1933. In 1934, the team won their first National Championship and would go on to win 3 more National Championships in 1935, 1936, and 1937.

The team’s success continued into the 1940s and 1950s, winning 6 more State Championships in 1940, 1941, 1942, 1954, 1955, and 1956. The team also won 2 more national championships in 1940 and 1941.

After a bit of a lull in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the team rebounded in a big way in the mid-1960s, winning 3 consecutive State Championships from 1964 to 1966. The team would go on to win 2 more State Championships in 1967 and 1968.

The early 1970s saw more success for the team, as they won 4 consecutive state championships from 1970 to 1973. They would also win 2 more national championships in 1972 and 1973.

The mid-1970s were not as successful for the team, as they only won 1 State Championship in 1975. However, the late 1970s were very successful for the team, as they won 3 consecutive state championships from 1977 to 1979.

The 1980s were another decade of success for the team, as they won 5 state championships in 1980, 1981 1982 1983 ,and 1984. The team would also win their 10th National Championship in 1982.

The 1990s were not as successful for the team as previous decades ,as they only won 1 state championship in 1992. However ,the 2000s saw a return to form for the team ,as they won 3 consecutive state championships from 2001 to 2003 ,and their 11th National Championship in 2003 .

The 2010s have been a decade of continued success for the program ,as they have won state championships in 2010 2011 2012 2013 ,and 2014 . They have also won their 12th National Championship in 2013 . As you can see ,the OPRF Basketball Program has a long history of success ,and is sure to continue this tradition well into the future

The Rivalries: A History of OPRF Basketball Rivalries

The Rivalries: A History of OPRF Basketball Rivalries

As one of the most successful basketball programs in Illinois, OPRF has had its share of heated rivalries over the years. Perhaps no rivalry is more storied than the one with Proviso West The two schools are separated by just 6 miles, and the rivalry dates back to 1967 when OPRF defeated Proviso West in the state Championship game The teams have met nearly 200 times since then, with OPRF holding a slim 105-94 edge in the all-time series.

Other notable rivals include Fenwick, Oak Park River Forest’s closest Catholic school and a fellow member of the West Suburban (Silver) Conference. The two teams have met over 100 times since 1950, with Fenwick holding a 57-51 edge in the all-time series.

In recent years OPRF has also developed a strong rivalry with York high school in Elmhurst. The schools are both members of the West Suburban (Gold) Conference and have met in the playoffs several times in recent years with York holding a slight edge in the all-time series.

The Fans: A History of OPRF Basketball Fans

While OPRF fans have always been passionate about their team, the level of support and enthusiasm has grown tremendously over the years. In the early days, fans would gather around the radio to listen to the games, and then later they would watch them on TV. Today, OPRF fans can follow their team online and on social media and they can even watch live stream broadcasts of the games.

OPRF fans are known for their loyalty and their willingness to travel to away games. They are also known for their creative spirit, often coming up with clever chants and banners to show their support for the team.

Over the years, OPRF fans have had many reasons to celebrate. The team has won numerous conference championships and state titles, and they have produced many outstanding players who have gone on to successful careers in college and Professional Basketball

OPRF fans can be proud of their team’s history of success. And they can look forward to many more years of exciting basketball!

The Legacy: A History of OPRF Basketball in the Community

It’s no secret that OPRF has a long and successful history when it comes to basketball. The school has produced many successful players, teams, and coaches over the years who have gone on to find success at the collegiate and professional levels.

But OPRF’s success goes beyond just the players and teams. The basketball program has also had a positive impact on the Oak Park community. For years, the program has been a source of pride for residents, and it has helped to bring people together.

OPRF’s Basketball Program has also been a force for good in the community. The school’s teams have participated in many community service projects over the years, and they have raised thousands of dollars for local charities.

The OPRF Basketball Program has a rich history, and it has had a positive impact on the Oak Park community for many years.

The Future: A Look Ahead to OPRF Basketball

As the Oak Park-River Forest High School (OPRF) boys’ Basketball team starts another season, it’s impossible not to think about the future. OPRF has a rich history of success on the court, and the team is always looking to add to that legacy.

This year’s squad is led by senior captain Quentin Bufford, who is one of the Top Players in the state of Illinois. Bufford has already committed to play at the University of Illinois next year, and he will be joined by fellow senior Kaleb Thornton in the backcourt.

The future is bright for OPRF basketball, and with a talented group of players coming up through the ranks, it looks like there will be more success in the years to come.